In a significant statewide offensive against narcotics ahead of New Year celebrations, the Gujarat Police have confiscated contraband with a street value exceeding Rs 7 crore in less than a week. The coordinated crackdown, which spanned major cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara, also led to multiple arrests and a novel investigation into the financial networks of drug peddlers.
Major Hauls Across Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara
The Ahmedabad City Detection of Crime Branch (DCB), in a joint operation with the Special Operations Group (SOG), adopted a "zero-tolerance" stance, recovering drugs worth Rs 1 crore in just seven days. This haul included significant quantities of Mephedrone (MD), Ganja, and Charas. Authorities lodged 21 criminal cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and apprehended 25 individuals.
In a parallel and massive seizure, the Surat police intercepted hydroponic cannabis worth Rs 6.18 crore from two passengers arriving at Surat airport from Bangkok. Since December 16, additional contraband valued at Rs 12.5 lakhs has been seized in the city.
Meanwhile, Vadodara city police have been running a sustained drive since November 11, registering a total of 26 NDPS cases and arresting 30 persons. The total value of narcotics seized in Vadodara during this period stands at Rs 31 lakhs.
New Strategy: Targeting Street-Level Distribution and Finances
Highlighting a strategic shift, the Ahmedabad DCB announced a move beyond large consignments to specifically target "small quantity peddlers." This approach aims to dismantle street-level distribution hubs that directly fuel local addiction, particularly among youth.
More crucially, the police have initiated a detailed probe into the financial underpinnings of the drug trade. "The ongoing investigation is not limited to physical seizures," stated the Ahmedabad DCB. For the first time in such operations, preliminary investigations are heavily focusing on Narco-Finance to trace the money trail, identify profit laundering methods, and freeze assets. The goal is to disrupt the financial backbone of these syndicates to prevent their regeneration.
Rehabilitation Offered Alongside Enforcement
While promising strict action against peddlers, the police also extended a supportive hand to addicts. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch encouraged individuals struggling with addiction to seek rehabilitation, highlighting provisions under Section 64A of the NDPS Act.
This section allows addicts charged with offences involving small quantities or consumption (Section 27) to potentially gain immunity from prosecution if they voluntarily seek treatment from a government-recognized institution. "The Crime Branch encourages families and individuals to come forward and choose rehabilitation over incarceration," an official statement read.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ajit Rajiaan, summed up the dual approach: "Our goal is to clean the streets... We are hitting the peddlers where it hurts—their finances—while simultaneously offering a helping hand to those who want to quit." He issued a clear warning to peddlers while assuring addicts of a legal pathway to a new life.
